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Best rMBP Docking/ Alternative to Purchasing Desktop?

L

legaleye3000

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 31, 2007
1,377
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I have a 2013 rMBP. I need a stationary computer, but don't want to spend $1500 (my custom build iMac priced out) on a new desktop.

What's the best setup? Just need one screen for office work, keyboard, mouse, not many usb ports. Thanks!
 
legaleye3000 said:
I have a 2013 rMBP. I need a stationary computer, but don't want to spend $1500 (my custom build iMac priced out) on a new desktop.

What's the best setup? Just need one screen for office work, keyboard, mouse, not many usb ports. Thanks!
Click to expand...
I use this $120 dock along with a 4-port USB hub:

http://hengedocks.com/pages/vertical-macbook-pro-retina

Your power cable, monitor, speakers, and USB 3.0 hub (with mouse and keyboard) connect to the dock. The 13" rMBP slides into and out of the dock. It takes ~3 seconds to dock/undock the rMBP. Disconnecting the power cable from the dock is much more time consuming, so, if you need to charge your Mac on the go (i.e., take the power cable with you), you'll probably want to buy a second power adapter.

For the new 2015 13" rMBP, you can get a 4K monitor like the 27" Dell P2715Q. Unfortunately, the 2013 15" MBP, which has a beefier quad-core CPU, does not correctly (60Hz) support 4K monitors.
 
Last edited:
KenAFSPC said:
I use this $120 dock along with a 4-port USB hub:

http://hengedocks.com/pages/vertical-macbook-pro-retina

Your power cable, monitor, speakers, and USB 3.0 hub (with mouse and keyboard) connect to the dock. The 13" rMBP slides into and out of the dock. It takes ~3 seconds to dock/undock the rMBP. Disconnecting the power cable from the dock is much more time consuming, so, if you need to charge your Mac on the go (i.e., take the power cable with you), you'll probably want to buy a second power adapter.

For the new 2015 13" rMBP, you can get a 4K monitor like the 27" Dell P2715Q. Unfortunately, the 2013 15" MBP, which has a beefier quad-core CPU, does not correctly (60Hz) support 4K monitors.
Click to expand...

Can you please explain this dock in detail? I mean it basically mirrors what you have on your Macbook? Can we use the non retina macbook and mirror it to a retina screen ?
 
ApoorvPrem said:
Can you please explain this dock in detail? I mean it basically mirrors what you have on your Macbook? Can we use the non retina macbook and mirror it to a retina screen ?
Click to expand...

It's pretty self-explanatory if you take half a second to look at the pictures. The inside of the dock is lined with plugs for all your ports. You plug your own devices to the dock itself.

I'm not sure I understand your second question.
 
snaky69 said:
It's pretty self-explanatory if you take half a second to look at the pictures. The inside of the dock is lined with plugs for all your ports. You plug your own devices to the dock itself.

I'm not sure I understand your second question.
Click to expand...

Can you connect a QHD screen with a non Retina Macbook using this dock? I know its a weird question. :confused:
 
ApoorvPrem said:
Can you connect a QHD screen with a non Retina Macbook using this dock? I know its a weird question. :confused:
Click to expand...

Sure, the dock is only a place to hold the computer. If the computer can drive the display, it'll be able to do it regardless of wether it's in the dock or not.
 
Can anyone recommend a good monitor? It's just for office work. I'm not doing video or photo editing or anything like that. Thanks.
 
legaleye3000 said:
Can anyone recommend a good monitor? It's just for office work. I'm not doing video or photo editing or anything like that. Thanks.
Click to expand...

295


Dell UltraSharp U2415 24" 1900x1200 AH-IPS LED LCD Monitor for $287.99 after coupon

http://slickdeals.net/f/7732039-del...-led-lcd-monitor-for-287-99-free-shipping?v=1
 
I ended up buying the Dell Ultrasharp U2415. My Late 2013 rMBP only has a lightning port and hdmi port. The monitor comes with a mini-dp cable. Should I get a mini-dp to HDMI or mini-dp to lightning adapter? Is there a big price different and does it matter? I'm just doing office stuff, no crazy video or photo editing. Thanks!
 
I picked up a 2015 rMBP a few weeks ago and today I should be receiving my LG34u95 monitor. It has Thunderbolt 2 connectivity so it should work flawless, only time will tell.
 
legaleye3000 said:
I ended up buying the Dell Ultrasharp U2415. My Late 2013 rMBP only has a lightning port and hdmi port. The monitor comes with a mini-dp cable. Should I get a mini-dp to HDMI or mini-dp to lightning adapter? Is there a big price different and does it matter? I'm just doing office stuff, no crazy video or photo editing. Thanks!
Click to expand...

A mini-DP will fit in the thunderbolt port, the port is the same size and works for that very purpose. You don't need an adapter.
 
robo456 said:
I like the idea of the Hengedock, altho some of the older reviews said that they had issues with the ports not "quite" lining up with the jacks. Hopefully they've fixed that; I'd definitely check around some of the review sites.

I was actually looking at the BookArc (https://www.twelvesouth.com/product/bookarc-for-macbook-pro-retina) for a more traditional "I plug the cables in" approach, but I'm still not sure!

--rob
Click to expand...

I really like the look of the BookArc.
 
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